Bush, Charles, 1805-1855

Machinist and manufacturer.

Charles Bush was born in Wilmington, Del., in 1805. At the age of sixteen he went to Baltimore to study as an apprentice machinist. Returning to Wilmington where he was set up in business by his father, he became the partner of Jonathan Bonney. In 1836 Bonney & Bush embarked on the business of making cast railroad car wheels. Two years later Bonney died and was succeeded by Bush's nephew George G. Lobdell. Under the title of Bush & Lobdell the firm became the largest manufacturer of car wheels in the country. Bush died in October 1855 as a result of injuries received on being thrown from his carriage.

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